Rossland celebrates completion of Spokane Street project

The City of Rossland celebrated the completion of the Spokane Street Infrastructure Project on Tuesday.

The project was completed on time and as per the approved budget, according to a press release sent out by the city on Monday.

The Spokane Street Infrastructure Project replaced 1,025 metres of water main, 600 metres of sewer main, 500 metres of storm main and 7,700 square metres of asphalt road surface infrastructure and improved 130 metres of the sidewalk and pedestrian access — not just on Spokane Street, but on Leroi and First avenues as well.

“The existing water pipes that were replaced were constructed more than 50 years ago. Our sanitary sewer in that area consists of old clay tile pipes that have either been severely restricted or seen a full collapse in recent years. The existing road and drainage infrastructure is also aging to the point where any further deterioration would most certainly increase the risk of future traffic disruptions, washouts and sediment loading to existing watercourses. Basically, the need for costly repairs to infrastructure in this section of the City has been increasing every year and something needed to be done,” Moore stated in the press release.

Funding for the project was provided by the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.

“Our government is committed to improving the services people count on,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in the release. “We know it’s essential that communities across B.C. have access to clean, safe water and this investment will ensure the people of Rossland have an up to date water system they can rely on.”

Mayor Moore also expressed her thanks in the release to Rossland residents who were impacted by the project for “their patience and good humour throughout the summer.”

“I appreciate that living in a construction zone is never hassle free and change isn’t always easy, but by and large, everyone was understanding and gracious,” she said.